Aston Villa defender could head to Spain in loan switch

Aston Villa defender Josh Feeney could join Real Union on loan, according to a report by Spanish news outlet Sport.

The centre-back, who is 18-years-old, is being linked with a temporary switch to Spain before the end of the current transfer window.

Feeney has been on the books at Villa Park since 2021 after they snapped him up from Fleetwood Town in League One. He is an England youth international.

He penned his first professional contract 12 months later and saw that deal extended last summer. He is yet to make a competitive appearance for Unai Emery's side. However, he has played for Aston Villa in pre-season games and has also trained with their first-team on a handful occasions, as well as making the matchday squad in the past.

Feeney's chances of breaking into the starting XI between now and the end of the campaign are extremely slim due to his age, lack of experience and the abundance of options that his team have at their disposal in his position.

Therefore, a loan exit would be a sensible move for him before the end of this window. Real Union would give him a chance to test himself in a new country which would benefit him both on and off the pitch.

Feeney would be guaranteed regular game time with the Basque Country-based outfit based on the fact he would be joining them from the Premier League. They play their football in the Primera Federación which is the third tier.